Lot Essay
This highly unusual image could represent Midas, the legendary king of Phrygia, the richest of all mortals, who killed himself by drinking the blood of an ox.
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A PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM A MONTECITO ESTATE
A CARVED BANDED AGATE CAMEO BUST OF A RULER
17TH CENTURY
Details
A CARVED BANDED AGATE CAMEO BUST OF A RULER
17TH CENTURY
Within a gold mount applied to an oval agate ground within an associated mirror-backed medallion, the silver-gilt frame with chased foliate decoration, within a later ebonized frame
2 ¼ in. (6 cm.) high, the cameo; 5 ½ in. (14 cm.) high, the ormolu frame; 11 ½ in. (29 cm.) high, 10 ¾ in. (27 cm.) wide, overall
17TH CENTURY
Within a gold mount applied to an oval agate ground within an associated mirror-backed medallion, the silver-gilt frame with chased foliate decoration, within a later ebonized frame
2 ¼ in. (6 cm.) high, the cameo; 5 ½ in. (14 cm.) high, the ormolu frame; 11 ½ in. (29 cm.) high, 10 ¾ in. (27 cm.) wide, overall
Provenance
The Collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge; Christie's, Paris, 23-25 February 2009, lot 443.